Can I really use the word euphoria when referring to a late afternoon schooling ride? That's truly how I felt when I was done riding on Wednesday evening. I can't even begin to imagine what it must feel like to ride one of those "top" dressage horses like Ravel or Totilas ... I was ecstatic when I got off my Speedy pony after schooling Intro C!

We worked on a true medium walk, or at least the best version I can coax out of him. We also did a long and low free walk at which he's really getting better. Our trot circles are more and more balanced and are closer to being circles ... and 20 meters. I am probably the most proud of Speedy's canter departures. He still pins his ears and gets a bit crow-hoppy about it, but he does make the transition on cue, most of the time. And before I get a lot of his back must be sore, rest assured, he's not hurting, he's just resistant to the whole "when I give the cue thing." And really, this is hard for both of us. Once he starts working more softly, I can get a nice canter transition - like last night. We finished the session with some decent stretchy trot circles. Since we had never even attempted one a month ago, decent is acceptable in my book, at least for now.

That I even "know" what these movements are, makes me feel accomplished. I can't believe how much a team can learn in a year! We worked really hard with a coach in bi-weekly lessons over the summer and then once or twice a month throughout the fall and winter. We've learned a lot about how to get a lot done. Last summer, I couldn't have accomplished a quarter of what what I got from Speedy last night, even with a coach or trainer ... and now, it took us only 25 minutes to get it done ... and I did it alone, without my coach directing.

You can actually call it whatever you want, I am just so glad that you were able to feel the moment of "euphoria". There are many situations in our lives wherein we will feel that. Of course, it will always depend on the happiness that we have. Since you have happiness on this field, then I can just imagine how blessed you are right now! By the way, thank you for keeping us updated!

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About the Writer & Rider

I am a lifetime rider. I began endurance riding in 1996 where I ultimately completed five, one-day 100 mile races, the 200-mile Death Valley Encounter, and numerous other 50, 65, and 75 mile races. I began showing dressage in 2010.​Welcome to my dressage journey.

About Speedy G

Speedy went from endurance horse to dressage horse and occasional trail horse. He is a 2004, 15'1 hand, purebred Arabian gelding. His Arabian Horse Registry name is G Ima Starr FA.

July 2017 - Photo by Sue Dockweiler

About Izzy

Izzy was started as a four-year old and then spent the next 18 months in pasture growing up. I bought him as a six-year old, and together, we are schooling the dressage basics. He is a 2008, 16'3 hand Zweibrücker gelding. His Rheinland Pfalz-saar International (RPSI) name is Imperioso.